Foldable Dashboard Table With Cam Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Heavy vehicles, such as trucks, require foldable tables that provide an adequate support surface without significantly increasing the space taken up inside the dashboard, as existing foldable tables either compromise on size or usability.
Innovation Solution
A foldable table design featuring a pair of half-planes connected by a hinge and cam mechanisms, allowing for compact storage and efficient deployment, with one half-plane's lower wall continuing the dashboard's outer shape to minimize space usage and a cam mechanism for stable operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of moving object
If foldable tables are designed to provide adequate support surface area, then the table capacity and usability are improved, but the space taken up inside the dashboard increases
Solution Approach 1:
The table is divided into two half-planes that can be folded relative to each other. When folded, the half-planes occupy minimal space within the dashboard housing. When deployed, they form a large flat support surface, effectively resolving the contradiction between compact storage and adequate usage area.
Solution Approach 2:
The foldable table structure is nested within the dashboard housing. The half-planes are arranged to fit compactly inside the housing when folded, utilizing the available space efficiently. This nesting approach allows the table to provide adequate support surface when needed while occupying minimal dashboard space during storage.
2Volume of stationary object
If the table is made compact to reduce dashboard space, then the dashboard dimensions are decreased, but the table capacity and usability are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The table employs a dynamic folding mechanism with hinges and cam connections that allow smooth transition between compact stored position and fully deployed usable position. The cam mechanism provides stable operation during deployment, ensuring the table achieves adequate support surface area when needed while maintaining compactness when not in use.
Solution Approach 2:
The table's effective size parameter changes dynamically based on operational state. When folded, the table occupies minimal dashboard space. When deployed through the hinge and cam mechanism, the table expands to provide adequate support surface area, thus adapting the size parameter to match operational requirements.
3Device complexity
If traditional foldable table mechanisms are used, then the table can be folded, but support arms are required which increase device complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and eliminates the support arms from the traditional foldable table mechanism. Instead of using support arms, the patent employs a hinge connection between half-planes combined with cam connections to the housing that directly provide both folding capability and structural stability, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The hinge and cam connection mechanism serves multiple functions simultaneously: it enables the folding action, provides structural support, ensures stable operation during deployment, and eliminates the need for separate support arms. This multi-functionality reduces the overall number of components and simplifies the device structure.
Data Source
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AI summary
A vehicle defining an inner space (1) comprising a dashboard (2) provided with an outer wall (2a) and defining housing (4), the vehicle further comprises a table (3) which can be housed in the housing (4) and comprising a first half plane (11) and a second-half plane (12) connected to each other in a foldable manner and each comprising a support (11a, 12a), a pair of side walls (11c, 11d, 12c, 12d) and a lower wall (11b, 12b), when the table (3) is housed in the housing (4), the lower wall (11b, 12b) of one of either the first or second half plane (11, 12) being a continuation of the outer wall (2a) of the dashboard (2).